Tail flipping in a shallow kiddie pool/ hot tub: easier with or without a monofin?

[Princess Kae-Leah]

My #MerGoal is to get my tail wet in a shallow kiddie pool or hot tub and flip it(think the motion Ariel does in Disney theme park parades), but my question is would that be easier/safer/more comfortable to do in a fabric tail without a monofin(because it's apparently really heavy when wet and very buoyant) or with the mono holding the shape of my fluke? Everyone has their "comfort zone" when it comes to water, and mine is I want to get my tail wet, but actual swimming is difficult and I don't want to put my head in the water.

[MermaidCelesteFL]

Depends on what you feel comfortable with. Since you won't actually be swimming, it's completely your choice. From my experience with the fabric tail makers (and from what friends have told me with FinFun and SunTails), the monofins can be a little floaty. It doesn't hurt to dip your feet in the water and splash around for a bit if the monofin puts too much pressure on your legs/back. I know you have a couple physical issues, so do what feels right. :)

[ForsakenMermaid]

Personally, I found it easier to actually swim with my monofin and push it with my body than sit on the side of the pool and flip it in and out of the water. Most of this was due to its buoyancy. Because they are made flat, they float REALLY easily. If you try to kick it into the water, the water will immediately resist and push it back to the surface, causing you to have to use a surprising amount of push from your feet just to keep it down. I found that even when I was able to flip it, I was only able to do so very slowly because the water would fight me every step of the way. That's probably why it was easier to move in it while I was actually in the water since I would mostly just let it stay afloat and only use it to push myself forward, but not into the water.

[Merman Storm]

I found a youtube video of a Disney parade with Ariel. She has a spring board-like plank under her legs, allowing her to bounce her legs up and down. I assume this makes the motion much easier, and is most likely needed to prevent too much fatigue over the course of the parade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XugM-fDTRI
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XugM-fDTRI)
With just fabric, it will not hold shape in any way, and you will have a flag of wet cloth hanging below your feet. A monofin is neutrally buoyant, and does not float much at all. But when you drop it to the water surface, it tends to stop moving, due to encountering the mass of water. You then need to push it to get it under water. Bringing it back to the surface takes just as much effort.

I'd use a monofin, as it will look much better, and accept that the motion will be slower than the Ariel performer's motion.

Also: If you sit at the edge of a pool and move the monofin up and down by bending just at the knees, you move a surprising amount of water.

[ForsakenMermaid]

I found a youtube video of a Disney parade with Ariel. She has a spring board-like plank under her legs, allowing her to bounce her legs up and down. I assume this makes the motion much easier, and is most likely needed to prevent too much fatigue over the course of the parade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XugM-fDTRI

Wow, there is a springboard! I never knew that before! Kae-Leah, she isn't wearing that hideous tail in this video.

[AniaR]

I think monofin would be safer and easier, and a hot tub instead of a kiddie pool cuz a kiddie pool might tip when you flip!

[AniaR]

Personally i think youd really enjoy being in your tail in a hot tub :)

[Princess Kae-Leah]

Thanks for the responses, dahlings!